CHAPTER 8 POLITICAL PARTIES LEARNING OBJECTIVESI CAN Define

CHAPTER 8 – POLITICAL PARTIES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES…”I CAN…” ØDefine the role political parties play in the U. S. political system ØIdentify the three major components of the political party and describe how each contributes to overall party coherence ØExplain why political parties formed in the United States and evaluate how their strength and importance have changed over time ØCompare and contrast the demographics of people who identify as Democrats and Republicans; explain how party positions differ on economic and social issues ØSummarize the factors that reinforce a two-party system and explain why third parties are rarely successful at winning national elections ØDiscuss the rise of political independents and evaluate how this change might impact American politics

I. WHAT IS A POLITICAL PARTY AND WHAT DO PARTIES DO? -Washington’s Farewell Address Warning A. Political Parties 1. 2. Political Party - An organization of activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy Why do they form? a. Strict vs. Loose Interpretation b. Decentralizing Power – dividing power among 3 branches of government and the states, which is what our national government is based on

I. WHAT IS A POLITICAL PARTY AND WHAT DO PARTIES DO? 3. B. Party Functions a. What Do Political Parties Do? 1. Contest Elections 2. Organize and Run Elections 3. Offer Alternative Policies to Voters/ Adopt Policy Changes 4. Accept Responsibility for Operating the Government 5. Acting as the Organized Opposition to the Party in Power The Three Components of a Party 1. Party-in-the-Electorate - These are all of the people who identify with a political party 2. Party Organization – Provides the formal structure and leadership of a political party a. National Convention - Adopt party platforms and nominate candidates for President and Vice President

I. WHAT IS A POLITICAL PARTY AND WHAT DO PARTIES DO? b. Party Platform – Declaration of party stance on issues c. d. e. -Party in power = focus on achievements -Party out of power = platform criticizes policies of incumbent National Committee – Directs and coordinates party activities between national party conventions State Party Organizations – 1. State Central Committee – Carries out policy decisions of the party’s convention 2. Unit Rule – A rule by which all of a state’s electoral votes are cast for a presidential candidate receiving a majority of the popular vote in that state Local Party Organizations – 1. “Foot Soldiers of Politics – those who hand out information, knock on doors, get the vote out on Election Day, etc.

I. WHAT IS A POLITICAL PARTY AND WHAT DO PARTIES DO? C. The Party in Government 1. Party-in-Government - All of the elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party a. Divided Government – When one party controls one branch of government and the other party controls a different branch 1. Ticket Splitting – Idea of voting for a President and a Congressperson of different parties -Why? – Lack of trust in government, weakness in party identification among many voters b. Limits of Party Unity – not all elected officials from a party will 100% support the legislation of their party c. Party Polarization – occurs when members of Congress maintain loyalty when voting = LITTLE IS ACCOMPLISHED, no compromise 1. Safe Seats – When parties create House seats where the member wins 55% or more of the vote

II. A HISTORY OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE UNITED STATES -Two Party System – A political system in which only two parties have a reasonable chance of winning A. First Party System: The Development of Parties, 1789 – 1828 1. Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans – a. Federalists – Strong federal government, favored merchants and manufactures, Hamilton, Adams, Marshall b. Democratic-Republicans – States’ Rights, favored small farmers, Jefferson, Madison 2. Era of Good Feelings (1817 – 1825) – Monroe Years -Era when Republicans won major elections, little opposition -Temporary breakdown in the two=party system B. The Second Party System: Democrats and Whigs, 1828 – 1860 1. Democrats – Oldest political party in the world / Party of Commoners -Led by Andrew Jackson -Increased voter participation

II. A HISTORY OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE UNITED STATES D. a. “Rum, Romanism, Rebellion” – Label given to the Democratic Party of this era (opposed to Republican efforts to prohibit alcohol and bring Protestant values to public school -Both parties were of equal strength in this era until the 1890 s when Republicans were unified by support for the gold standard b. “Wave the Bloody Shirt” – Republicans remind voters that the Party of Lincoln was the party that ended slavery The Fourth Party System: The Progressive Interlude and Republican Dominance, 1896 – 1932 -Early 20 th century saw an era of reform (Progressive Era) in both parties -Election of 1912

II. A HISTORY OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE UNITED STATES E. The Fifth Party System: The New Deal and Democratic Dominance, 1932 – 1968 -Response to the Great Depression -F. D. R. ’s New Deal greatly increased the role of government in the economy -African-Americans shifted to vote Democrat in 1932 -The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950 s and 1960 s divided Democrats along with race riots and protests over the Vietnam War -Socially conservative Democrats started leaving the party (many Southerners) F. A Post-Party System Era, 1968 – Present? 1. Red State vs. Blue State (Election of 2000 – sharpened the divide) Red = Republican, Blue = Democrat -Swing States – states that are fairly evenly divided between parties, where Presidential candidates spend the most time and money (ex. Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania) -Election of 2008 Swing State Twister

III. THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES TODAY A. Who Belongs to Each Political Party? -Political parties are built by appealing to groups of people and creating a coalition based on shared interest -Factors that determine what party people belong to: -Gender -Age -Religion -Region -Issues B. Party Policy Priorities Dems: Education, Poverty, Homelessness, Health Care, Social Security, Medicaid Reps: Fighting/ Preventing Terrorism, Reducing the Federal Deficit, Reforming Immigration, Right-sizing the Federal Government

III. THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES TODAY C. The Election of 2016 1. The Republicans -”The Outsider” – Donald Trump 2. The Democrats -Hillary Clinton – “Glass Ceiling” -Bernie Sanders- Grassroots campaign 2020

IV. WHY HAS THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM ENDURED? A. Long History of our System of Government -Often in our history there is one main issue or disagreement that has divided the nation (tariff, states’ rights, slavery, immigration, etc. ) – creates two sides to an issue -It is uncertainty or a complex issue that presents a challenge (ex. Health care) B. Political Socialization and Practical Considerations -Most Americans tend to lean either to the left or right, even Independents, which strengthens the two-party system -Social change supporters know the only way to gain influence is through the major parties C. Winner-Take-All Electoral System 1. Plurality – Winner-take-all – the candidate with the most votes wins, doesn’t necessarily have to be the majority of votes -Presidential Elections (48 of 50 states do W-T-A – Nebraska & Maine)

IV. WHY HAS THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM ENDURED? 1. Electoral College – the body that meets in each state and Washington, D. C. once every 4 years in December following the Presidential election to elect the President and Vice President of the United States -W-T-A is a reason why Third Party candidates don’t do well D. State and Federal Laws Favoring the Two Parties -Some state election laws (like NY) make it VERY difficult for Third Party candidates to do well

V. THE ROLE OF MINOR PARTIES IN U. S. POLITICS -Third Party – A political party other than the two major political parties -Often force the major parties to recognize new issues or trends in American thinking -Seen as a “Safety Valve” A. Ideological Third Parties -Longest lasting -See selves as outsiders -Ideology provides sense of unity -Not dismayed by election losses -Ex. Libertarian Party Green Party

V. THE ROLE OF MINOR PARTIES IN U. S. POLITICS B. Splinter Parties 1. Splinter Party – A new party formed by a dissident faction of the major party -Often the most successful type of Third Party -Ex. C. T. R. vs. Taft Bull Moose/ Progressive Party (1912) – Theodore Roosevelt Impact of Minor Parties -Often struggle in major elections at the national and state levels -Impact felt in other ways: 1. Influencing the Major Parties – often have ideas adopted (early 20 th cent. ) 2. Affecting the Outcome of an Election (Election of 2000)

VI. MECHANISMS OF POLITICAL CHANGE -”Natural Party of Government” – The idea that one of the major parties becomes a dominant party for a length of time A. Realignment – Occurs when a large group of voters switch party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape 1. Election of William Mc. Kinley (1896) 2. Election of F. D. R. (1932) 3. Election of Ronald Reagan (“Reagan Revolution) (1980) B. Dealignment – A decline in party loyalties that reduce longterm party commitment 1. Independent Voters a. Party Identification – Tying oneself to a certain political party b. Straight – Ticket Voting – Idea of voters voting only for candidates c. from their party Swing Voters – Voters who often swing their support from one

VI. MECHANISMS OF POLITICAL CHANGE C. Tipping – Occurs when a group that is becoming more numerous over time grows large enough to change the political balance 1. Future of Political Parties -Parties play a critical role in our system -Challenges include: Technology Rise on nonparty organizational support Major changes in demographics Political Party Symbols